Web-Based Visualization of Large Hierarchical Graphs Using Invisible Links in a Hyperbolic Space

Hao, Ming; Hsu, Meichun; Dayal, Umesh; Krug, Adrian

HPL-2000-2

Keyword(s): hyperbolic space; invisible links; cycles

Abstract: Many real-world data warehouse applications involve navigation of large highly connected hierarchies e.g. web pages, product catalogs, and document hot topics hierarchies. Quite often users are confused and overwhelmed with many complex displays. This paper discusses a new invisible link technique for linking a large highly connected graph in a hyperbolic space without cluttering the display. Only the primary links are shown to the user. All other cross-links are hidden in the property of each node and invisible to the user. These invisible links only appear when the user focuses on the node. "Invisible link" allows a user to freely focus on the hierarchy of interest.